In this video recorded ZOOM meeting from March 27th, 2020 – Caerusnet Facilitators discuss how to effectively lead during the global crisis and the commitment to stay together. Most Facilitators attended the ZOOM meeting and the ones on the screen are: Tom Hamp and Chaz Carrillo (Lansing) Steven Bebber (Saline), Doug Moffat (Brighton & Ann Arbor), Brian Surowiec (Milford), Amber Keyes (Ypsilanti) along with Caerusnet Founder, Steven Zyskowski.
Let’s take a moment to recognize Caerusnet’s Michigan Facilitators! Joining multi-year veteran Lansing Facilitators like Tom Hamp, Chaz Carillo and Olivia Somsel and Saline’s Steven Bebber, there are several new Facilitators starting new teams this year in Northville, Ann Arbor, Jackson, Milford and Plymouth. Even Chief Referral Officer, Wendy Caverly has expanded her footprint to include Chelsea. From Adrian to Bloomfield Hills, Caerusnet Facilitators are welcoming small business professionals into the world of referrals.
Steven Zyskowski, Chief Referral Officer of Caerusnet Michigan commented “The Facilitators are absolutely some of the best people you will ever meet in the local small business community and they love helping others. Facilitators are the also the main competitive difference between Caerusnet and other structured referral organizations. We like our Facilitators and Members to embrace the concept of being in a partnership together, keeping their referral team healthy.”
Facilitators are passionate about their team’s success, because they are also small business professionals, as well. They can relate to the demands of today’s main street business world on 
an individual simply trying to make it and thrive in today’s complicated entrepreneurial vacuum.
Click this link to learn more about our Michigan Caerusnet Facilitators and THANK YOU for your continued support of Caerusnet referral teams. If you know of a small business professional in your local community who doesn’t know about Caerusnet, please feel confident referring them to any of our Michigan Facilitators.
Know of someone who you think might make a good Facilitator or are you considering Facilitating a referral team yourself? Click this link to learn more and/or share with a friend.
As always, don’t let the world change your smile … use your smile to change the world.
Stay connected,
Founder & Facilitator / Chief Referral Officer, Caerusnet
Caerusnet Michigan recently received notification that it was awarded Best of 2019 Business Marketing Services!
Steven Zyskowski
Chief Referral Officer, Caerusnet Michigan
Facilitator: Ann Arbor, Brighton, Canton
Eloisa Underwood has been a successful Caerusnet Member since joining the referral network back in June of 2016. Her unique business, Perk Pros, which offers text message and loyalty marketing services, is highly referable. Any business or organization that wants to stay in front of its customers should know about Eloisa’s great product offering!
We had a chance to catch up with Eloisa to discuss her success in Caerusnet and to learn more about her and her company, Perk Pros!
How long have you been in your profession?
I started Perk Pros in January of 2015, so I’m about to finish my 4th year as a small business owner!
How did you get in this field?
As family is our #1 priority, my husband and I wanted to start a business that would make us financially independent and have the opportunity to control our own schedules and spend time with our children. 
We were looking to invest in a great franchise opportunity and we found this licensing opportunity that became an even better option for us. We control our brand, our level of service, our commitment to our clientele.
The most important thing is we see Perk Pros’ mission as to help our clients get enterprise-level technology that was only available to big box brands. We level the plain field for them to compete against them!
What is the best thing about your business/career?
The satisfaction of seeing Perk Pros have an impact in the local community helping merchants be able to compete with an outstanding marketing system that is used by big companies.
It was not until I found Perk Pros’ system that I saw any options to bring the power of text marketing to a local merchant.
What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most?
I like that, unlike other referral groups, we get to enjoy a facilitated referral meeting, and I get to focus on my core business. I don’t have to invest any time in fulfilling other tasks and abiding by rules & regulations that feel too restrictive and unable to keep up with!
I also enjoy that we meet for 30 weeks of the year which makes it sufficiently flexible to be able to fit in Trust Builder appointments which is part of being a great team member. This to me is a very realistic commitment towards a referral team that actually makes sense! Caerusnet system takes the stress out of thinking who can cover me in a meeting I’m not able to attend for a business or personal matter.
Share a success story about why giving referrals/bringing visitors is beneficial to you.
When I have given a warm referral, I know that this builds trust with other team members. I like inviting visitors since I’m proud of how different Caerusnet is compared to other referral teams.
I believe we have the best option out there and want to share this approach that has just worked so well for me. Every Visitor is the opportunity for a whole new set of relationships!
Any tips on learning how to find situations where you can create a referral or invite a visitor?
I have found that when visiting my clients, just listening to their comments on what they are working at, what they are struggling with or even just plain asking them if I can help out with anything else, often helps towards learning about a need that may find other team members’ services or product to be precisely what they need. I make it a priority in making sure my clients know that I’m part of a referral team that may have what they are looking for.
What is your strategy with our member minute and your spotlight presentation?
During my member minute, I try to highlight one of the many features our system has available. For example, our New Birthday Club feature, where we ask subscribers to share with us their birthday. Once we have their birthday month and day in the system, we can send them well wishes or a Happy Birthday reward option to come back so we can participate in the celebration! I can’t think of a single merchant that can’t benefit from this feature.
For my spotlight presentation, I usually use a PowerPoint and bring an example of the backers and new floor stands we are able to use with our merchants so they can visualize how the setup may look for a potential client.
What is your approach to positioning yourself as a resource in the community?
I like my clients to see Perk Pros as a resource that helps bring their way the best service providers within the community. When talking with them, I find myself now with a mindset of proactively asking about what are they working with to improve in their stores, place of business, etc.
I see that when I refer a fellow Caerusnet team member and they provide an outstanding service/product we both elevate our credibility. I know that when I recommend someone, they are usually looking to excel client’s expectations since they know we both are working towards the same goal of making our clients happy.
Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet?
Share how your Caerusnet members have positively influenced you or your business besides passing referrals.
I feel Caerusnet members have influenced me in being welcomed as part of a team. It’s always nice to know that I have “sales associates” in each and every one of them that can be an extension of me. There’s only so many hours of the day to look out for a good referral!
I’m now able to share the essence of my business in under a minute, that is super helpful! When you’re talking with a busy business owner to engage him towards landing an appointment so he can hear how Perk Pros can be a great fit for them and hire us… that is gold!
I have seen the level of commitment of team members and learn a lot from them every single meeting. Spotlight presentations are always a guarantee that we will learn something new that is always nice to share with potential referrals for them!
WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT OUR LOYALTY TABLET!
Want to connect with Eloisa and talk about marketing? Her email is [email protected] or reach out by phone @ 734-776-8663
POWERFUL, polite and suggestive canned phrases is how “the pros” purposefully cultivate a referral mindset and increase their referrals with their customers and local referral partners.
Eavesdrop on this fun and informative conversation between Caerusnet Brighton Wednesday 1PM team Member and online marketing specialist, Spencer Field (https://orangecubegroup.com/) and Steven Zyskowski, founder of Caerusnet and active referral team Facilitator. This powerful six minute VIDEO is critical to watch for anyone who wishes to grow by referral at the local level.
by Steven Zyskowski
With credit being given to Michigan Caerusnet Members and the professional Facilitators who run the team meetings, Caerusnet continue to grow its footprint in Michigan by referral only!
This blog post focuses on new Caerusnet teams and Facilitators! Feel free to visit (yes, visiting is FREE) and/or share this information with others you feel could benefit.
If you would like to reach out to any of the professionals mentioned below, please click here to get their contact information.
Caerusnet breaks into a new Michigan county with the launch of Caerusnet Adrian! This team is led by Eric Jones from WorkForce PayHub, an Adrian based payroll and HR consulting firm. Eric was a past Member of an Ann Arbor Caerusnet team and along with his partner and current Caerusnet Member, Chillah Weller, plan to develop and grow a great Caerusnet Adrian team. This is a brand new team yet to hold its first meeting.
In Livingston County, where Caerusnet was founded, two new teams are on the rise that are currently in “core” status (meaning they are assembling the first 10 Members of their team) …
BRIGHTON WED 3PM is facilitated by Jimmie Plaskey, a financial adviser at Executive Wealth Management. For over two years, Jimmie has been (and is still) an active and well-liked Caerusnet Member of the Wed 10AM Caerusnet team. Jimmie is looking to grow his team with the “next” leaders of the community and is passionate about helping young professionals learn what it takes to grow by referral.
BRIGHTON TUES 10AM is facilitated by Doug Moffat. Doug is a founding Member of the Caerusnet Wednesday 8AM team and recently became an independent life insurance agent after working for many years with a large financial services firm. Doug is excited about the opportunity to spread his wings and Facilitate his own Caerusnet Tuesday 10AM team from scratch. His desire is to help others in the community have the same great experience he has had as a Caerusnet Member. This is a brand new team.
In the Lansing area:
HOLT THUR 1PM team is facilitated by outgoing realtor, Olivia Somsel, who is convinced that referrals are the way to grow a small business! The Holt team meets at Shaheen Chevrolet and is excited to host an upcoming March 29th VISITOR DAY. Olivia’s plans are to build a great team serving the Holt/Lansing communities and she is committed making it happen.
LANSING GOLF NETWORKING LEAGUE Powered by Caerusnet is run by experienced Caerusnet Facilitator and small business coach, Tom Hamp. Tom is launching something new this year as he joins forces with the Golf Networking League. If you love golfing and also want structured referrals, this team could be the perfect fit for those seeking “referrals on the fairway”.
In Wayne County, the dynamic duo of Kate Lambert and Vince Engerer co-Facilitate Caerusnet Plymouth on Tuesday at 1PM. They own Apple Graphics, a full service print and direct mail firm, and they have been Caerusnet Members of the Canton Thursday 1PM team for over two years. They run their fun and welcoming meetings out of the Burroughs Building in downtown Plymouth and are excited to build long lasting relationships in the community.
In Oakland County, be sure to visit Marie Dowler’s Caerusnet Bloomfield Hills Tuesday 8AM referral team. As a well-loved professional realtor and experienced networker, Marie is doing a fantastic job facilitating and is ready to take her Bloomfield Hills team to the next level! The meetings are run out of Max Broock Realtors on Telegraph Rd and they have an upcoming March 13th VISITOR DAY.
As always, stay connected! – Steve
Beth Notarius is known in her 1PM Caerusnet Brighton Wednesday team as a grief recovery specialist as well as the team’s “Chief Heart-repreneur”. As the driving force behind of Beth Notarius, Inc, she’s an entrepreneur with a big heart and a contagious smile. She helps everyday people learn about grief and helps them heal emotionally to improve their lives.
How long have you been in your profession?
I became a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist® through the Grief Recovery Institute® and an Approved TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic)™ Practitioner in 2011. These two certifications positioned me with the tools to help individuals and organizations with two areas of life that we know little about how to handle — Grief and Drama.
How did you get into this field?
I didn’t select this field, it selected me!
For 17 years, my husband and I owned a business that sold, implemented and supported Wholesale Distribution software. His sudden death (8 months after my father died) left me emotionally devastated and non-functioning. Amazingly, four months later, I had discovered and completed the Grief Recovery Method® program. I had never felt so emotionally complete, whole or passionate in my entire life. For the first time, I listened to my heart and knew I had found my calling.
Then serendipity took over as I happened upon the three foundational structures of my new career. 1) The Grief Recovery Method training so I could facilitate emotional healing; 2) National Peace Academy training where I cemented a vision of being a community change-maker in the sphere of personal peace; 3) TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) training so I could help individuals and organizations ditch the drama and shift to resourceful, resilient, and really good relationships.
Finally, I realized that these three disciplines interconnected and explained how I managed to find joy while caring for my father with Alzheimer’s disease. The Relate/Create/Hope/Cope Approach to Empowerment was born and graphically pulled the various disciplines together.
What is the best thing about your business/career?
That’s a great question. I have the gratification of watching people transform before my eyes. It is amazing to witness someone go from a feeling of brokenness to personal peace and joy.
What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most?
I get to network without having to join committees or manage the group. It is an enjoyable way to hone my skills and grow my business. Everyone in the group is hard working, dedicated and are good community-minded citizens!
Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet?
Give from your heart to the group and develop personal connections that go beyond business. It’s quality rather than quantity of relationships. This builds trust and mutual desire to help each other.
Confidence! There is emotional safety with Caerusnet. The energy of the group is positive, supportive, patient, and they really are rooting for you! This was especially important to me in developing a business that was a total change from my history. Joining Caerusnet is one of the best business decisions I’ve made.
To contact Beth, visit her website at: www.bethnotarius.com, call her at 248-919-7617, email: [email protected], or visit her at the Brighton Wednesday 1PM referral team meetings!
You will find her at most Chamber and networking mixer events in Brighton. She’s supportive and she’s fun. And while hunting is in her blood, MaryBeth has learned how to farm for referrals as a Caerusnet Member of the Brighton Wednesday 10AM team. Enjoy our quick and to the point chat with “Mama Bear” (you can ask her how she got the nickname). She has good information to share as her team’s 2017 MVP!
How long have you been in your profession?
Mama Bear Productions was founded in 2004
How did you get into this field?
A friend introduced me to Shaklee. I had such wonderful results from the products for my health, I wanted to help others.
What is the best thing about your business/career?
I’ve been blessed with helping hundreds of people, with their health and financially.
What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most? I like organization. The meetings are started the same way, information on how to have an exceptional member minute and giving referrals, I don’t have to volunteer to head up the group, and there is always time to laugh.
Share a success story about why giving referrals/bringing visitors is beneficial to you. It’s always a great feeling to give to and help another person. I know, like and trust the people on my team. It’s a win-win for the business people in my group and for those I refer to them. Nancy Blake, America’s Electric, was new to Networking. I’ve seen her grow in her confidence. She receives 
many referrals. This is a woman who quit her job to help her husband with his business. It was a big leap of faith and it is wonderful to see it is paying off.
Any tips on learning how to find situations where you can create a referral or invite a visitor? Listening to an individual and hearing how they want to grow their business. When people know there is no commitment and just check out the team to see if it is a fit, they are more relaxed and are interested. I also offer suggestions on what is a good member minute and to commit it to memory, which helps with their confidence.
What is your strategy with your member minute and your spotlight presentation? My member minute consists of: Who I am, what I do, and who is a good referral. Getting to the point and being consistent. In the spotlight presentation, which I’ve done several times, I flare it up. I like people to hear why I sell Shaklee, all of my services, and personal information as well. I want people to be confident when referring me.
What is your approach to positioning yourself as a resource in the community? I’m in the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and have been for almost 12 years. When I speak with people, I ask questions. Not because I’m nosey, but I want to know how to help. It’s just in my nature.
Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet?
Give referrals. Schedule Trust Builders. And listen to other Caerusnet members. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
Share how your Caerusnet members have positively influenced you or your business besides passing referrals. Friendships. I’ve met wonderful people in Caerusnet. Recently, Andrew Bosak, our real estate agent from Buckley Jolley, went above and beyond for me. I wasn’t selling my house. Another realtor made a mistake, and I was receiving calls about vacant property I’m supposedly selling. He provided excellent advice and contacted the appropriate people so that the calls would cease. He didn’t make any money from this situation, but did it anyway. Andrew is a good person and I look forward to passing him more referrals.
To contact
MaryBeth “Mama Bear” Potrykus, visit her website: https://mamabear.myshaklee.com/us/en/about_paying-it-forward.html, email her at [email protected], or call her at 810-813-3308.
by Steven Zyskowski
On Friday, September 22nd, Caerusnet Members from teams across SE Michigan gathered at The Links of Whitmore Lake for a fun filled day of golf! And boy oh boy was it a HOT day with temps in the mid-90’s!
BIG thanks to this year’s new golf outing organizer and Caerusnet Dexter Member, Mary Frisinger (from Arbor One Mortgage Company) for putting the event together! We also want to thank the HOLE SPONSORS of this event for making it great! Also, “Team Wendy” featured host of energetic Member volunteers all with great spirit, helping make the 3nd annual Caerusnet Golf Outing a success. Special thanks also to Dexter Members Shasta Grifka from Grifka Marketing and Marcy Smith from BS Designs for marketing and graphics support.
As I saw the golfers take off in their carts that gorgeous, sunny morning I asked myself the simple question, “How is golfing alike to referring?” These are the two best answers I came up with …
You have to show up to play the game. Just like golfing, you can’t win if you don’t show up to play at the regularly scheduled team meetings.
You can’t learn what works if you don’t practice. Developing a referral mindset where your customers refer you more often and other area professionals start to learn to refer to you isn’t an easy game to master, but one well worth the effort.
With 50% of all purchasing decisions being made at the recommendation of those we trust, it’s certainly worth it to always provide the best service to our referrals so future referrals keep rolling in (the other 50% of purchasing decisions come from advertising). Caerusnet was created to help you stay connected to the movers and shakers in your community. We look forward to next year’s golf outing and continuing to grow the Caerusnet footprint in Michigan and beyond.
Stay connected,
President/Founder, Caerusnet
